Axel set his glass down with a soft clink, his hand sliding to the marble countertop, close enough that the heat of his body teased my bare leg.
My skin tingled, every nerve straining toward him. His gaze dipped slowly as he caged me in without touching. The quiet thrum of the refrigerator was the only sound.
I swallowed hard. What is he doing?
His fingers flexed against the stone, so close I could feel the heat radiating off his skin. He wasn't drunk. No, not completely. But it looked like he was testing me, gauging the air between us, waiting for me to flinch.
But I didn't.
Then his hand slid casually, almost lazily, until his knuckles brushed against my bare thigh.
My breath hitched.
I should've pushed him away, and reminded him of all the rules he'd laid down — one that he was breaking. But instead, I found myself shifting closer, arching into the heat of his touch as if it were my salvation. Deny it all I liked, but I wanted him. That much was obvious.
"Layla," he murmured in a low voice.
I swallowed. "Hhm?"
"You looked beautiful tonight in that dress," He complimented with his thumb pressed gently into my thigh.
Butterflies came alive in my stomach.
"T- that's the nicest thing you've said to me in over a week… or ever." I stuttered. It was a wonder I could still speak at this point.
"Don't get used to it." He said, a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.
My pulse throbbed as his hand lingered and he continued to trace slow circles that made it hard to breathe.
"You…" My voice faltered.
His head tilted, his annoyingly sexy lips only inches from mine. "Me?"
I leaned in without even thinking, completely drawn to him, taking it he was about to kiss me.
Then…
Beep! Beep!! Beep!!!
The microwave blared, startling us both.
Axel froze. It was almost as if I was staring at another person as he came back to his senses. His jaw clenched, his hand vanished, and he stepped back immediately.
The air around us shattered.
He cleared his throat and, in a hoarse voice, said, "Don't stay up too late."
And just like that, he was gone, leaving me trembling against the counter.
—
The next day was Saturday, meaning no work and no schedule to chain me down. Since that weird encounter with Axel last night, I had not seen him.
All through the previous night and day, my mind kept replaying the kitchen scene in loops, tormenting me. I couldn't forget his hand on my thigh, his voice calling me 'beautiful' , and that almost-kiss.
Damn it! I needed to get a grip of myself.
Axel and I were not a real couple and if I wasn't careful, I'd let myself get swept up in this fake marriage.
I shoved the thought aside and grabbed my phone. Maybe I needed a distraction. Something to get my mind off things.
It was then I decided I would go clubbing.
In just a week, so many things had happened in my life and I needed to loosen up before I lost my mind.
Axel's stupid rules echoed in my head: don't go anywhere without telling me first, don't embarrass me.
Rules, rules, rules.
Fuck the asshole.
He couldn't keep me locked up in here like a prisoner.
After dinner that evening, I slipped upstairs and changed into a party worthy dress. It was a short glittery dress that hugged my body, the hem grazing just mid-thigh.
I curled my hair, letting it fall in loose waves, and added a bold red lip. By the time I was done, I barely recognised the woman in the mirror. It had been a while since I saw this version of myself, and I loved it.
For someone who had not come for dinner, light peeked out from Axel's room but I didn't care. I headed for the garage and stumbled upon the driver.
When he saw me, his brows shot up. "Mrs. O'Brien, where are we off to?
"To have some fun."
"Does Mr. O'Brien know…?"
"I don't care. Why? Because I have freedom. So are you driving or should I do it myself?" I dared him, sliding into the backseat.
He hesitated at first, then nodded. "Where to?"
I gave him an address and he started the car.
When we pulled up, the bass was already thrumming from inside. The club I had chosen wasn't just ordinary, it was a high-end spot where celebrities and wealthy socialites came to play.
"I'll wait," he said, gripping the wheel.
"Sure." I said.
It wasn't like I was about to walk that road alone at night, I wasn't stupid. So while he went to park the car properly, I headed inside the club.
For the first time in weeks, I felt free. No one recognized me, and if they did, they minded their business, and for that, I was grateful. I only came here to blow off some steam and have a good time.
The music hit me right away. It was loud and thumping, vibrating through my body. The room was saturated with bright colors, making it feel wild and intoxicating, completely different from the stuffy marble halls I was used to.
Without wasting time, I headed for the bar and ordered a drink. I was careful not to get drunk, just having a good time all by myself.
And of course, it wasn't long before a guy came up next to me. He was tall, had a charming smile, and carried himself with a confidence you could tell he'd worked on.
"Hi," he said. "Can I get you a drink?"
I shook my head politely. "No, thank you. Mind your business."
He gave me an awkward smile, then walked away.
I rolled my eyes. Can't a lady just have a good time in the club without typical men ruining it.
The alcohol must have loosened me because I laughed to myself, feeling a bit lost in the moment. The bass thumped through my veins, and after a while, I couldn't resist the pull of the music again.
I pushed off the bar and made my way to the dance floor. The crowd surrounded me, the lights flashed, and I let myself go, moving to the beat, feeling the excitement in the air.
I was honestly enjoying myself until the same guy from earlier appeared again.
"A pretty lady like you shouldn't be dancing alone," he said with a smirk. "You know, I you're like a nine out of ten and I believe I'm the one you need."
"Back off," I snapped, turning away.
What the hell was wrong with this guy? Couldn't he take a hint? At this point, he wasn't just annoying, he was starting to seriously creep me out.
But he laughed it off. "Come on, don't be like that…" his hand slid down this time, grabbing at my ass, trying to pull me closer.
I stiffened.
Anger rose in me and I swung my hand, slapping him hard across his face.
"Don't touch me!" I hissed at him.
People gasped at the scene but I didn't wait around and stormed out, heading to the restroom.
"What the hell was that?" I murmured, glaring at my reflection in the mirror.
I bent over the sink and splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash off the sting of the encounter. You'd think high-end clubs would be free of that kind of behavior, but no, assholes didn't discriminate. Rich clubs, poor clubs, it didn't matter.
The other woman in the restroom left and by the time I was finishing up, the door creaked open again. Except this time, no other footsteps followed, not even the sound of a stall closing. There was just silence and that sparked my suspicion.
I lifted my head and froze.
It was him. The same asshole. What the hell was he doing here?
He leaned against the doorframe, a chilling smile twisting his lips. "Finally," he drawled, "we're alone."
My stomach dropped and I went rigid. What the hell had I just gotten myself into?